Also:
I announce the name of the parenting book I’m working on right now! And I share some exciting news: the introduction to this book is available for you to read, for free, at Patreon.com/weturnedoutokay!

Thanks to all the We Turned Out Okay Patreon patrons, and shout out to Tiffany, our latest patron! Tiffany’s getting some awesome rewards, which you can get too, listen to today’s show and go to Patreon.com/weturnedoutokay for more information : )

Do you find that giving a time out

to your young child is an effective way to change that child’s behavior?

Maybe you find, as one coaching client of mine does, that timeouts become “a battle of wills” and aren’t effective at all.

Maybe your young child runs away from the timeout chair, giggling and leaving you super frustrated…

If so, this is the show for you because today I’m teaching how to effectively discipline your young child!

For notes on today’s episode including my 4-step formula for disciplining effectively, as well as to sign up for my 3 Secrets of Happy Parenting live, online class, go to weturnedoutokay.com/229.

Special thanks to: Nancy, Diane, Ben, and Max, each of whom became patrons of the show in Patreon this week!

They’re getting helpful stuff like access to my Patron-only feed, Extra Magic Words for Parents videos, and early access to chapters of parenting books I’m working on right now – plus I’m saying thanks to them in today’s episode!

Get GREAT extras and a shout-out in next week’s We Turned Out Okayepisode! Go to:

Welcome! To listen to today’s episode, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and hit the triangular “play” button. Enjoy the show!

This episode, we focus on a serious issue.

It’s one you may have been wondering about, but not known what to do about – or even if it was a big deal at all:

Does tablet or smartphone use contribute to a child’s behavior problems?

We live in this world, which is absolutely filled with tech. The tech doesn’t appear to be going anywhere fast… So what’s the answer?

Does tablet use contribute to behavior problems?

Listen to today’s episode to find out!

For notes on this episode including:

– Three ways to safely use technology with your littles
– The sign-up for the 3 Secrets of Happy Parenting FREE online class, which distills everything I’ve learned into 3 simple lessons for true enjoyment of this parenting life
– Key Links and every back episode of We Turned Out Okay

Welcome! To listen to today’s episode, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and hit the triangular “play” button. Enjoy the show!

Maybe you have said to yourself,

when you’re watching a parent fail miserably to bring a recalcitrant child under control, “that will NEVER be me. I pride myself on order and discipline in my house!”

Or, maybe you’ve heard snide comments from teachers or relatives about your child “ruling the roost,” and it’s frustrating because you don’t want to be a disciplinarian. That’s not why you had kids, to order them around!

So, which is it? Do you need to be firm? Or do you need to be flexible?

Listen to today’s episode to find out!

For notes on this episode including:

– The answer to this dilemma of flexibility vs. firmness
– The sign-up for the 3 Secrets of Happy Parenting FREE online class, which distills everything I’ve learned into 3 simple lessons for true enjoyment of this parenting life
– Key Links and every back episode of We Turned Out Okay

To us grown-ups, summer can mean

headaches caused by heat and humidity, too much time spent in air-conditioning, and unwelcome changes in routine.

Also, the endless application of sunscreen on our littles.

But to kids, just being outside can be a revelation. There’s birdsong, and water, and dirt…

Summer is a great time for reconnecting with your child, for truly listening to him or her – for deep, true bonding with this little person you are bringing up.

Does that seem daunting? If you’re not sure how to begin, listen to this episode of We Turned Out Okay!

Today, I am excited to interview Sunshine Parenting podcast host Audrey Monke, who has directed a summer camp for more than 30 years.

In that time Audrey has seen it all: extreme homesickness, parental worries, and, again and again, the life-changing magic of summertime.

We tap into her knowledge of how to make summer great, as Audrey shares THE 3 most important things you can do this summer to capture that magic, to truly enjoy the time you spend with your young child.

For TONS of amazing links that come up in today’s conversation, as well as to join our We Turned Out Okay private Facebook group (I’ve got a big announcement in today’s episode about something new happening in the group!)…

Welcome! To listen to today’s episode, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and hit the triangular “play” button. Enjoy the show!

As you probably did, I got spanked as a kid.

But, probably unlike you, I became an early childhood educator and lesson one was “we never, EVER spank a child.”

Still, it’s tempting, especially if it means stopping a behavior that you cannot stand for one more minute.

So, is it ever okay to spank your child? Do you ever do it?

Today – on We Turned Out Okay’s THIRD birthday! – we dig into why parents spank kids, the lessons a child learns from being spanked, and what other options we parents have.

WHY Parents Spank Kids

Not surprisingly, spanking doesn’t happen when your child’s behavior is smooth and easy.

It’s when they balk at what you are telling them to do.

When they drag their feet, whine, nag at a sibling until that sibling retaliates.

Spankings happen when we feel that we have been pushed to the absolute brink – when we feel like we have got no other choice.

Take a listen to this episode if you’ve ever felt like that, especially if you’re not quite sure that spanking is what you should be doing, but you don’t see any other option.

For notes to today’s episode, including:

– A 3-step method you can follow to discipline without spanking
– The sign-up for the 3 Secrets of Happy Parenting FREE online class, which distills everything I’ve learned into 3 simple lessons for true enjoyment of this parenting life
– Key Links and every back episode of We Turned Out Okay

Today’s podcast episode shares one simple change you can make that will affect how your child behaves.

Read on, and listen to today’s episode, to learn this simple change yourself and start using it to truly enjoy the time you spend with your kids!

Working with parents of young children,

one phrase comes up again and again – one really dangerous phrase.

It’s dangerous because it perpetuates bad behavior from our kids, which none of us want… Yet, it is really hard not to use it.

You probably use this phrase yourself; I know I have!

Here’s the thing: we do not want to ASK our kids “would you like to stop hitting your sister now?”

Instead, we want them to simply STOP hitting their sister.

(Or whatever thing they’re doing right now that is potentially harmful/driving us crazy/making us question our life choices : )

Today I share:
– Exactly what the two most dangerous words in a parent’s vocabulary are
– Why these words get used so often
– What you can say instead for good behavior from your child

Today’s episode helps you get past the bad behavior so you can fulfill your ultimate goal of truly enjoying family time!

Read more about these two dangerous words and what to say instead…
Find every back episode of the We Turned Out Okay podcast…
Sign up for the 3 Secrets of Happy Parenting Class…
All at weturnedoutokay.com/219.

"We Turned Out Okay is very much in line with the "simplicity parenting" and "kids in nature" trend that I appreciate and benefit from. The podcaster's voice is great and her advice and insight is excellent. Try it!"
- seashell-carb, 5-star iTunes review

1

"Since I've been listening I've been more conscious about my life with my kids.
I love your stories and insight.
I love the guests that you have. They are diverse and passionate.
Thanks for doing the podcast. I can't wait for more. Please keep them coming!"
– How Ya Ben, 5-Star iTunes review

1

"Karen is straightforward, funny and caring.
Most of all, her background in early childhood education means she has the experience and knowledge to back up what she says."
– Hkihm, 5-Star iTunes review

1

"So good. I have two spirited kids and this is so helpful."
– Laurablou, 5-Star iTunes review

1

"This show is so great for parents. Karen shares relatable tips in a straightforward but also tender way. Very entertaining and educational."
– ParentNormal Podcast host Chris Cate, 5-star iTunes review

"My wife and I have really young kids, and as a result were so happy to check out Positive Discipline Ninja Tactics. Karen's mix of personal stories and great hacks – things to do in the toughest moments with little kids – make this book so useful and entertaining. Highly recommended!"